OHA releases checks to Native Hawaiians impacted by April flood on Kauaʻi

HANALEI, KAUAʻI (June 21, 2018) – The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) last night distributed the first set of disaster relief checks to 58 Native Hawaiians households impacted by the April flood on Kauaʻi.

The checks were distributed at OHA’s Board meeting at the Waipā Foundation in Hanalei, Kauaʻi.

“This community is working extremely hard to bounce back,” said Kauaʻi and Niʻihau Trustee Dan Ahuna. “The support OHA has been able to provide is an example of what we can accomplish when we as an agency stand behind our community. We have relief funds still available and urge people to help us get the word out to beneficiaries who still need kōkua.”

On June 7, the OHA Board announced a relief package of emergency loans and $500,000 in aid for Native Hawaiians impacted by the natural disasters on Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island.

Since then, OHA began collaborating with Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi to distribute $200,000 in OHA funds to Native Hawaiian households on Kauaʻi affected by the flood. The one-time emergency financial assistance may be used for food, clothing, medicine, or other materials; emergency housing; medical and related services; transportation; and dependent child or elder care. In addition, OHA is partnering with the Waipā Foundation to distribute $50,000 to kalo farmers affected by the flooding and is also offering disaster relief loans for a variety of needs.

Updates for OHA’s relief efforts for Hawai’i Island will be available at www.oha.org/puna.

Watch the video below to hear Native Hawaiians from North Shore of Kauaʻi share their heartfelt stories on the impact of the recent floods and what the relief aid from OHA means to them and their community: